:: Winter Carnival..

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Just got back from the Winter Carnival of Magic in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. The event started on Thursday night with the magic and lecture of Jeff McBride. I found this a very good lecture, as Jeff talked about 'magician 24/7', the act of being a magician twenty four hours a day. We spent about three hours total watching Jeff perform and lecture, and it was worth every minute..

Friday's events included a lecture with Michael Finney, one of my favorite performers, on some of the smaller aspects of magic that make a large impression. Friday nights show was a two and a half hour special performance by Terry Evanswood.

Saturday included an inspiring lecture/performance by one of the genius minds of magic.. Stephen Bargatze. Saturday night we saw Scott Hitchcock, Tony Chapek, Michael Finney, and Jeff McBride in a three hour performance of some of their best material.

My favorite part of most conventions is the interaction among attendees. McBride, Finney, and myself all stayed in Ramada, on the same floor, and we had a close-up lounge downstairs that convened each night after all the shows concluded. I really enjoyed sitting around with some of the most amazing performers, talking and trading secrets, until the wee hours.

Steve Beam held court Saturday night with his amazing card work, and even had McBride, Finney, Dan Fleshman, and Bargatze watching in amazement and applauding with ernest..

I had my 'moment' Friday night as I showed a number of the guys how to perform perfect faro shuffles and track a card through the deck, knowing at any moment where the card's located. Something I've worked on for many years...

If you are NOT signed up for my newsletter, eMagic Deluxe Journal of Magic, you can go to http://streetmagic.info and sign up on the homepage. I will have interviews with Michael Finney and Stephen Bargatze in the near future, and hopefully Jeff McBride when he gets back from Europe..